Part 7/11:
One of the primary factors influencing modern fertility trends is income inequality. Renowned economist Thomas Piketty, in his seminal work "Capital in the Twenty-First Century," compiled data correlating income inequality with fertility rates. The findings suggest a consistent relationship: when individuals perceive social mobility and feel secure in their economic situation, they are more likely to have children.
Policies that promote income equality, such as the New Deal and the GI Bill following World War II, facilitated broader access to resources, directly impacting birth rates. This poses a challenge for policymakers today: they must navigate the desire for increased birth rates without exacerbating economic disparities.